Resolute Systems to administer CRDI, expand diversity initiative nationally

MILWAUKEE – March 10, 2010 – Resolute Systems, LLC and Capital University Law School are pleased to announce an agreement to transfer the administration and facilitation of the Conflict Resolution Diversity Initiative (CRDI) exclusively to Resolute Systems. Capital University began the CRDI as a pilot in February 2009 with Darden Restaurants being its sole participant. CRDI was created as a collaborative effort between Capital University and Darden.

The initiative, the first of its kind in the country, seeks to address the under-representation of minority neutrals in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) matters, by intentionally creating panels of qualified minority neutrals. CRDI primarily focuses on corporations with ADR programs who are serious about partnering with vendors committed to increasing diversity.

“What we found after almost 15 years of administering employment ADR cases nationwide through various national facilitation services, was that the neutrals selected in our cases were not regularly representative of our diverse employee population,” says Melissa Ingalsbe, Director of Dispute Resolution for Darden. “CRDI provided an intentional mechanism to ensure that the neutrals we use to administer our cases reflect the diversity of our workforce. We were extremely pleased with the outcome of our participation with CRDI and Capital University and look forward to continuing to use CRDI with the transition to Resolute Systems. During the pilot, the cases administered through CRDI compared to those administered through other national services during the same time period, were settled with more frequency, more quickly and for less cost.”

Floyd Weatherspoon, Professor of Law at Capital University, arbitrator, mediator and speaker, was the primary partner with Darden in implementing CRDI. “For numerous years, I have worked to bring attention to the very real fact that people of color are under-represented as neutrals in the alternative dispute resolution arena. As a person of color myself, I am fortunate to have regular assignments as a neutral. Unfortunately, that is not the norm. Through Capital University Law School, we have trained numerous minority mediators and arbitrators to be prepared to handle cases. However, opportunities through the normal channels of national facilitation panels are frustratingly complicated to either become a part of or from which to get regular assignments. CRDI is unique because it creates an intentional medium by which to ensure that people of color, who are qualified to serve as neutrals, will have a higher probability of being selected to serve on cases and build on their experience.”